Course:ETEC522/2010ST1/CollaborationTechnologies/futurepotential
This vector was developed by Mark Barrett, July 2010.
Future of Collaborative Technologies
There are an ever-growing number of collaborative tools available online. Some examples of these tools, including Google Sites and Google Docs (which are both Google Apps), can be found on the mind map linked here, and a collection of collaboration technologies, including open-source, free software and proprietary can be found here. The proliferation of cloud computing has increased the use of web based software for collaboration works. What we have now is unfettered access to bodies of work online, without the need to have users synchronize meeting times and places. The future of collaboration technology, however, will evolve far beyond this. Rather than simply satisfying the need for synchronous or asynchronous communication, what is needed now is an attention to design and user experience, not simply functionality and value; a user experience that is consistent and seamless, with easy access to the services users desire, regardless of location or device.
In terms of collaborative business technologies, it has been suggested by Padmasree Warrior, CTO of Cisco, that in the future, collaboration networks will be to enterprises what social networks are to consumers (Warrior, P. 2010). She argues that this explosive growth in collaboration technologies is reflective of the natural human tendency to build relationships. We instinctively seek to share information, broadcast our preferences and contribute our expertise. Warrior also predicts that the next wave of productivity will be driven by organizations without boundaries. This prediction is rooted in the fact that business processes must extend beyond corporate firewalls. That means they must encompass people outside the company as readily as they do people inside the four walls. Crowdsourcing, or the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to a large group of people or community (a crowd), through an open call, has become one such business solution to collaborative working solutions outside the traditional work space. Crowdsourcing serves as a prime example of the mass collaborative potential enabled by Web 2.0 technologies. The movement from collaboration within enterprises towards a boundaryless organization where anyone within an intercompany network can contribute will result in the growth of a new, seamless business model. In this long-term vision, the expertise and content enterprises need will proactively find them, rather than the onus being on the enterprise to seek out the expertise.
Future of Google Sites
The first collaborative technology we reviewed was Google Sites. In 2008, Google sites was launched, replacing Google Page Creator. Since then, a number of new features have been introduced to the free service to make it increasingly marketable. Among these was the advent of Google's Gadgets. At Google, gadgets are HTML and JavaScript applications that can be embedded in web pages and other apps, including Sites. These gadgets offer the ability to include external and dynamic content such as miniature applications and database-driven lists, incorporated with text and images for a seamless user experience. This type of user experience is precisely what the next generation of collaboration technologies is going to require to stay current. Critics of Google Sites question the reliability of the service citing the fact that if your business depends on its website that one should think twice before putting it into the hands of a free service. In terms of educational purposes, however, a free service is precisely what many schools require. Google Sites offers a number of templates which make creating of sites for both students and teachers alike quite simple. The potential for web site development by both beginners and advanced developers offers Google Site users the flexibility to work to their creative potential. Moreover, the support of such a large company as Google ensures that development of the Google Site platform will continue into the foreseeable future. Look for Google Sites to build upon its existing platform with an increasing array of extras such as Gadgets and continue to refine the interface of Google Sites itself to make the experience increasingly user friendly.
Future of Google Docs
The second collaborative technology we reviewed in Module 8 was Google Docs. Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service which allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users. It serves as another example of cloud computing where data is stored online for remote access. One of Google Docs more interesting features is the ability to download or upload a .doc or .xls file to share with colleagues. One of the newest features of Google Docs is the ability to view documents with wireless devices through Mobile Google Docs. Unfortunately the ability to edit documents while mobile is still unavailable and should be the direction we anticipate Google Docs to move towards in the near future. Another future feature of Google Docs to make it increasingly marketable would be its accessibility regardless of which mobile platform is used. As previously mentioned, this will be a necessity in the next evolution of collaborative software solutions. Educationally speaking, Google Docs has been a tremendous success in allowing students and teachers to work collaboratively online in drafting documents and contributing to spreadsheets and presentations. Increasing its mobile functionality will only add to its appeal. The fact that it is also free, has not hurt its popularity either, and will no doubt contribute to its continued use.
Final Letter Grade for Future Potential
The future of collaborative technologies, overall, is quite bright. There is an ever greater number of cloud computing software available which allows multiple users to collaborate in increasingly creative ways. Google Sites and Google Docs are but only two of the more well known examples of such web-based software. One of the greatest strengths of both Sites and Docs is that it has the powerful Google brand behind it promoting it, and providing it as a free software solution. One of the short comings of Google Sites is a reliance of users on Google to maintain its service despite not paying for it. This leaves users at the whim of Google when it comes to site migration. For example, in June 2009 Google Page Creator (the precursor to Google Sites) was shut down with all accounts being migrated to Google Sites. Many users experienced a loss of content during the migration but had little recourse as they were making use of a free site. The fact that Sites is a free service, however, is also one of its strengths. For this reason, as well as its continued improvement and development as a collaborative technology, I give Sites a grade of "B". The strengths of Google Docs far outweigh its shortcomings. The only clear weaknesses is the inability to edit documents while mobile; an issue which will no doubt be dealt with in the next evolution of Docs. For this reason, I give Docs a strong "A-" grade.
Vector 5 Discussion Questions
Based on what you have read in vector 5, as well as the links provided both above and below, answer the following discussion questions using the ETEC 522 course site. Tag your response M8V5.
Discussion Question 1: Explain how Google Sites and Google Docs can be used as a teaching/learning tool.
Discussion Question 2: Give an example of Crowd Sourcing. To what extent was it an effective method of collaboration?
Links
Further your understanding of the Future of Collaboration with the following video:
60+ Online Collaboration Tools
Move on to the Collaboration Technology Report Card
References
Bradley, T. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/200045/google_improves_google_docs_experience_on_ios_and_android.html?tk=hp_new (Retrieved July 2, 2010)
Google Sites Help. http://www.google.com/support/sites/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=144030 (Retrieved July 2, 2010)
Kataria, M. http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/06/google-docs-viewer-on-mobile-browsers.html (Retrieved July 2, 2010)
Warrior, P. http://blogs.cisco.com/news/comments/5_predictions_for_the_future_of_collaboration/ (Retrieved July 2, 2010)